Snopes.com confirms that six banners honoring Americans now hang from the block-spanning Lyndon B Johnson Education Building in Washington, the offices of the US Education Department.
This display, part of the “America 250” initiative to celebrate the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary, first appeared on March 1. It is intended to honor figures who have influenced American learning.
Accompanying the portraits are messages such as “Empowering our States to tell the Stories of our Heroes in American Education” and “Turning the page to the next 250 years of academic excellence.”
Biographies of the Featured Figures
- Benjamin Franklin: Recognized as a Founding Father who established Philadelphia’s first public library and supported educational opportunities for both enslaved and free Black children.
- Booker T Washington: A formerly enslaved man who founded the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, demonstrating how career-oriented education could strengthen local economies and uplift individuals.
- Martin Luther King Jr: Honored for his role as a pastor and civil rights leader who advocated for educational equality and civic engagement as fundamental rights.
- Anne Sullivan: Celebrated for her innovative work teaching Helen Keller to read and write, providing a historical blueprint for the success of special education through teacher-led innovation.
- Catharine Beecher: A 19th-century educator who founded the Hartford Female Academy and the Western Female Institute, focusing on training women in gender-specific roles, such as teaching and building stable community schools.
- Charlie Kirk: The late founder of Turning Point USA, recognized for building a 21st-century youth movement centered on civic responsibility, open dialogue, and encouraging young Americans to debate ideas openly.
Official Department Statement
Department Press Secretary Savannah Newhouse issued a statement regarding the installation, focusing on the historical significance of the chosen leaders:
“We are proud to honor visionary leaders whose contributions have shaped the future of education for generations,” she wrote. “Their work reflects Benjamin Franklin’s timeless belief that ‘an investment in knowledge pays the best interest.’
“As our country marks an historic 250th milestone, this moment invites us all to join in the pursuit of fostering educational opportunity that empowers every learner to rise, contribute, and help shape a brighter future for generations yet to come.”
The banners are displayed on the southern façade of the building on C Street Southwest.